<p>I am not sure that your DS2 has a lower chance. If indeed he has a lower chance, then the admission standard has been raised. If the increase of applicants lowers the overall quality of applicants, then the lower admission rates do not mean a lower chance for your DS2. If top students apply for a lot more colleges, then the yields would be lower and colleges have to admit more students to fill the same number of spots. </p>
<p>For upper middle class families, there are always decisions to be made to attend a top college without much financial aids or attend a state university with a full-ride or full tuition scholarship.</p>